One Race, Many Journeys: Westin Singapore Champions Inclusion at 2025 Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon
- SportPlus News
- Jun 4
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 5
Inclusive Spirit Shines at Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon with New Initiative for Athletes with Disabilities
Singapore, 4 June 2025 — In a bold and heartening move, The Westin Singapore and the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon (SCSM) are breaking new ground this year by empowering athletes with disabilities to pursue their sporting dreams on Singapore’s biggest marathon stage.
At a media event held this afternoon, titled “One Race, Many Journeys”, The Westin Singapore—official Elite Hotel partner of the SCSM for the third consecutive year—announced its latest initiative to make the marathon more inclusive than ever.
In celebration of its third straight year as the Official Elite Hotel of the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon (SCSM), The Westin Singapore will mark the occasion by helping persons with disabilities (PWDs) achieve their sporting goals at this year’s event.
From 6 to 7 December at the SCSM, PWDs will run alongside able-bodied participants in the 5KM, 10KM, Half Marathon, or Marathon categories past iconic sites in the heart of Singapore.
An Initiative Led by SCSM Ambassadors
The initiative is championed by two remarkable athletes who have been appointed SCSM Ambassadors by The Westin Singapore: American Paralympian-turned-IronMan competitor and celebrated artist Gregory Burns, and Singapore-based Australian ultramarathoner and Guinness World Record holder Natalie Dau.
Burns, who won two gold medals in swimming at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games, shared his journey from elite para-athletics to IronMan competitions in Singapore and South Korea.
A renowned visual artist, he also unveiled a specially commissioned artwork that embodies the spirit of inclusion. The piece will be replicated on apparel sold in the lead-up to the race, with proceeds going to the Singapore Disability Sports Council.
“I’ve competed on global stages, but what truly inspires me now is creating space for others to chase their goals—regardless of ability,” said Burns. “This initiative reminds us that while we may start from different places, we all move forward on the same course.”
Dau, fresh off her second Project 1000 — a staggering feat that saw her run two marathons a day for 12 days across the Philippines — spoke about her passion for leveling the playing field in endurance sports.
Courage is Phenomenal
“Running is about resilience, and that belongs to everyone. The courage I see in disabled athletes is phenomenal, and I’m proud to help pave a path for them at the SCSM.”
The event also featured a community run around Marina Bay, led by The Westin Singapore’s Run Concierge, Eddie Chang. Attendees were treated to Hyperice recovery experiences and healthy post-run bites curated by the hotel’s culinary team.
With this new initiative, The Westin Singapore and the SCSM are setting a powerful precedent: that athletic greatness isn’t defined by ability, but by the will to start, the courage to continue, and the freedom to dream.
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